Lisbon's Urgent Infrastructure Upgrade: Preventing a Major Sewer Collapse

Lisbon's Preventive Measures on Avenida de Ceuta

The Lisbon City Council has initiated crucial works on the Alcântara sewer system located on Avenida de Ceuta to prevent potential collapse. This preventive intervention began in late January and is expected to last four months.

According to a statement sent to the Lusa agency, under the leadership of Carlos Moedas (PSD), this initiative stems from joint inspections conducted by the municipality and the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC) on the city's primary sewage collectors. "The mentioned assessment is carried out systematically to reduce the risk of collapse and act promptly," explained the council, noting that preventive inspections have been ongoing since 2021.

The work, taking place underground near the Alcântara Wastewater Treatment Plant (ETAR), commenced on January 24 of this year. To ensure safety during this process, traffic restrictions have been implemented on parts of Avenida de Ceuta.

In October 2021, a situation of "imminent pre-collapse" was detected in a segment of the Alcântara sewer, prompting the municipality to undertake an urgent project from November 2021 to May 2022, with an investment of two million euros.

The Alcântara sewer, constructed in the 1940s, is a critically functional infrastructure as it serves as the largest collector in Lisbon's wastewater system, draining a significant area of the city. A collapse would have serious consequences for the region. The council emphasizes that during its current term, it has invested 10 million euros in over 30 repairs to the network, including major collectors such as those on Sete Rios, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, and Rua da Prata.